Ichingo Chobe River Lodge

At the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers lies Impalila Island, which is also the peculiar meeting place of four African countries, namely: Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This phenomenon is the only one of its kind in the world and it is within this unique geographic area that the Ichobezi Lodges operate.
Ichingo is a luxury African lodge providing the "all Africa" experience in one of the world's finest wetland areas with spectacular game and bird viewing, and the opportunity to land a mighty tigerfish.

The tiger is known for its ferociousness and great fighting abilities. They hit hard, pull, jump and are very difficult to hook due to their razor sharp teeth and bone filled mouths; all the qualities you look for in a world- class fish. With over 1000km of river water to explore, anglers will never get bored. Whether you are fishing the fast flowing waters of Zambezi River, the white water rapids of the Chobe River, or the papyrus fringed backwaters of the Okavango Delta, the tiger will test your abilities as it savagely hits everything from streamers to poppers and makes your reel scream.

The lodge is a member of the Hotel Association of Namibia. It also has it's own airstrip on the island with customs and immigration facilities, insuring that your stay starts off with the convenience and good service that will typify your visit.

Ichingo is a luxury-tented lodge accommodating a maximum of sixteen guests in large twin bedded Meru tents, each with cupboards, tables, electric lights etc., plus it's own private, thatched en suite bathroom and balcony.

All tents overlook the river with the main lodge buildings being built over the river and consisting of a lounge and bar with a separate dining room, all under thatch and situated under large shady trees.

Fishing is an incredible experience at Ichingo with access to over 100 kilometers of rivers providing excellent fishing in what is undoubtedly the premier tigerfishing water in Africa. You are able to fish for tigerfish and bream in both the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers. The lodge is particularly renown for the quality of its guides and their success in landing tigerfish, especially when fly-fishing. High quality tackle is available for guests use.

The Chobe is a smaller graceful river with deep pools and a lot of still water combined with a series of rapids and white water in front of the lodge. It has firm banks and is bounded on one side by the Chobe National Park where in the evenings vast quantities of wild animals, especially elephants, come down to drink.

The Zambezi is a large free flowing river with areas of wide and deep water, fairly swiftly flowing, and the home to the large tigerfish. It has essentially reed banks but interspersed are wonderful white sandbanks for the crocodiles and hippos to rest on.

Tigerfish:

The major fishing attraction is tigerfish. These legendary fighters are equipped with an extraordinarily large tail and a specialized bone structure allowing them to accelerate like a rocket and hit your bait or fly like no other fish of equal size. Their teeth are formidable and they prey on other fish up to 40% of their own weight. They grow up to 16 lbs but even four-pound specimens fight like champions. Tiger are essentially a summer fish being more active in the warmer water; the traditional season is September through to February when the rivers are also low and clear.

Game viewing is possible by entering the Chobe National Park in a boat. Here you will see huge herds of elephants, which come down to the river to drink together with an extensive array of other game such as buffalo, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, puku, lechwe, impala, baboons etc.

Bird watching is a year round pleasure at Ichingo with over 400 recorded species.

In order to reach the lodge, guests can fly either to Livingstone, Zambia or directly onto the island via a charter flight. Commercial flights to Livingstone operate on a regular basis every day and from there we will transfer you via road to Kasane. This road transfer is about an hour and a half in air-conditioned mini buses. Ichingo guests are collected by boat from the Kasane border river post (immigration) in Botswana for the short trip across the river to the lodge. Transfers from Kasane immigration office to Impalila Island and return are included in the rate. Transfers from other areas can be arranged at an additional charge.

Private charters also regularly fly onto Impalila Island where there is an excellent 1400 meter all weather gravel airstrip.